Accounting Specialist

State of California; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

California State Auditor’s Office is seeking an Accounting Administrator I (Specialist) to support the Fiscal and Business Services team. The role requires independent work, adherence to GAAP, and effective use of FiCal and Microsoft 365 to meet reporting deadlines.

The position is 12-month limited term with potential extension, hybrid telework in California, and a salary range of $6,823.00 to $8,543.00 per month.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and communication skills with demonstrated ability to synthesize information clearly.
• Solid knowledge of accounting principles, budgeting processes, and financial reporting requirements.
• Experience managing multiple fiscal projects with competing deadlines, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and FiCal; familiarity with project management tools.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Review and approve purchase orders and vouchers; reconcile multi-year contract payments; respond to inquiries.
• Process vendor payments to ensure timely disbursement.
• Prepare and submit reports to the State Controller’s Office, including 1099 and non-resident tax withholding reports.
• Perform month-end closing and resolve outstanding items.
• Prepare monthly fund reconciliations and year-end accrual and adjustment entries.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Budgeting knowledge

FiCal experience

Multitasking

Tools

FiCal

Microsoft 365

Project management apps

Job description

Accounting Specialist
ACCOUNTING ADMINISTRATOR I (SPECIALIST)

$6,823.00 - $8,543.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 9/25/2026

Job Description and Duties

This is a 12-month limited-term position and may be extended to a maximum of 24 months or may become permanent.

What will you do?

As the Accounting Administrator I (Specialist) you will function as a highly skilled professional and perform duties to support the Fiscal and Business Services team to meet the Office’s operation needs. You will work independently, use good judgment to produce accurate work, meet various deadlines, and work in a team environment. You will utilize your knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the California Fiscal Information System (Fi$Cal) to conduct your work. Specifically, you will:

• Review and approve purchase ordersand vouchers; reconcile multi-year contract payment; respond to inquiries from internal and external contacts.
• Process vendor payments as needed to ensure timely payment.
• Prepare and submit reports to the State Controller’s Office including the 1099 report and non-resident tax withholding report.
• Perform month end closing, identify and resolve outstanding items in the process.
• Prepare monthly fund reconciliation and year-end accrual and adjustment journal entries.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

• This position is eligible for participation in the office’s hybrid telework program. Work at the alternate work location must be in California and conducted in a space that is ergonomically sound, private, distraction-free, and has safe working conditions to be eligible to telework.
• Work performed in the office is in an air-conditioned high-rise building with elevator access and both natural and artificial lighting.
• Work may require sitting for an extended period of time using a personal computer and the use of standard office equipment, such as phones, copiers or scanners.
• Year-end accounting activities peak during the summer months of July and August. Accounting staff must be able to work overtime during this period and vacation time may not be approved. Work may require periodic non-standard work hours and work during weekends to meet workload needs and demands.

This position is not eligible for a visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for a visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. The California State Auditor’s Office is not an E-Verify employer.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ACCOUNTING ADMINISTRATOR I (SPECIALIST)

ACCOUNTING ADMINISTRATOR I (SPECIALIST) $6,823.00 - $8,543.00L New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Work Location:

# of Positions: 1

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: 12 Month Limited Term - Full Time

Department Information

Who are we?

We are the independent oversight arm of the California State Legislature and the custodians of California’s Whistleblower Hotline. Our mission is to provide objective evaluations and effective solutions that enhance the transparency, accountability, and performance of California government for the people it serves. We are trusted to produce unbiased, nonpartisan reports that provide recommendations to solve some of our state’s toughest problems.

At the California State Auditor’s Office, we believe that our mission to enhance the transparency, accountability, and performance of government also improves the lives of Californians. The many people helping us achieve this mission are the backbone and heart of our organization. We aspire to create a workplace that celebrates their incredible contributions and talents, and embraces their unique perspectives, identities, and values. We seek to develop an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and inspired in their commitment to public service.

Any applicant receiving a conditional job offer will be subject to a background check, fingerprinting and an inquiry to the California Department of Justice to disclose criminal records prior to appointment.

State Auditor's Office employees are excluded from collective bargaining.

Additional hires may be made from this bulletin if positions become available.

Temporary Salary Reduction: Due to significant budget shortfalls, the office participates in the Personal Leave Program (PLP) which reduces employee salaries in exchange for accrued leave hours. The salary reduction amounts and leave accruals are based on the amounts that represented and other excluded employees receive.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Who are you?

• You have strong analytical and communication skills with demonstrated experience synthesizing information and communicating in a clear and concise manner.
• You have solid knowledge of accounting principles, budgetary processes, and financial reporting requirements.
• You excel at managing multiple fiscal projects and priorities with competing deadlines, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• You have strong verbal and written communication skills.
• You have experience using research and information-gathering techniques; basic principles and practices of descriptive and inferential statistics.
• You have knowledge of accounting and budget principles.
• You have experience using a variety of software including Microsoft 365, FI$Cal and project management applications used in fiscal operations.
• You have the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships.

Why should you join us?

• You want to make a difference for Californians and future generations, and make sure California government is effectively serving its people.
• You are highly collaborative, solution-oriented, and a strong communicator.
• You have a strong work ethic and thrive when working under pressure.
• You possess the ability to reason logically and creatively and use a variety of analytical techniques to resolve problems.
• You desire a monthly salary range of $6,823 - $8,543 with a 2% pay differential.

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: http://www.auditor.ca.gov/

Human Resources Contact:
Jai Patel
[phone]
[e-mail]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Kristina Gin
[phone]
[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off